A DETERMINED team effort prevented pollution to the River Dee after a tanker lost its load.

An accident, on the outskirts of Overton-On-Dee last Thursday, resulted in up to 20,000 litres of whey product pouring into drains.

The Environment Agency Wales incident response team was alerted and, with assistance from the emergency services and local farmers, began a rapid investigation and clean-up operation.

A quantity of the spill entered a tributary of the Dee and a small amount entered the river before measures could be taken.

Farmers provided machinery to block the tributary and remove contaminated water.

Dave Powell, the Agency's Environment Management team leader in charge of the incident response, said: 'The help and machinery provided by several local farmers was instrumental in minimising the impact.

'Environment Agency Wales is extremely grateful to them for their swift and co-operative response.'

'Monitoring of the Dee will continue until the Agency is sure there is no further risk of pollution arising from this unfortunate incident.'